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Best Fresh Beet Salad with Arugula

fresh beet salad with arugula - featured image

A vibrant and easy beet salad combining roasted beets, fresh arugula, tangy goat cheese, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for a light, colorful meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium fresh red beets, scrubbed and trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for roasting)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups loosely packed fresh arugula
  • ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta cheese)
  • ½ cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (for vinaigrette)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim tops and roots of beets, peel skin with a vegetable peeler or paring knife, and cut into ½-inch thick slices or wedges.
  2. Toss beet slices with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper until lightly coated. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  3. Roast beets for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fork-tender and slightly caramelized on edges.
  4. While beets roast, prepare vinaigrette by whisking together lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove and let cool.
  6. Let roasted beets cool slightly until warm but not hot.
  7. In a large bowl, combine arugula, roasted beets, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle vinaigrette over and gently toss to coat evenly.
  8. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when roasting beets to avoid steaming. Let beets cool slightly before mixing with arugula to prevent wilting. Toast walnuts carefully to avoid burning. For dairy-free option, substitute goat cheese with avocado or toasted pumpkin seeds. Lemon juice can be substituted with apple cider vinegar if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: beet salad, arugula salad, roasted beets, lemon vinaigrette, goat cheese salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad